Modernism Week Preview

Modernism Week’s 2017 Fall Preview has now been expanded to four days and will take place October 19-22 at various locations in the Coachella Valley.

The weekend’s events provide attendees with a sampling of the events and activities that will be offered during the annual 11-day festival in February 2018. Highlights of the October Fall Preview include a wide range of tours in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and Indian Wells (including walking tours, Premier Double Decker Architectural Bus and Charles Phoenix-led bus tours, a new tour showcasing homes across a range of neighborhoods, and a new mix of home tours), educational events, and evening cocktail parties.

“The Fall Preview is a wonderful opportunity for attendees to get a taste of what our 11-day festival in February will offer,” said Lisa Vossler Smith, Executive Director of Modernism Week. “This fun, four-day event offers entertaining tours, lectures, iconic architecture and parties similar to the upcoming 2018 festival.”

On Friday, October 20, Fall Preview attendees are invited to attend the festive Opening Night Party and Early Buying Preview Reception at the Modernism Show & Sale at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The popular Show and Sale, which offers important 20th and 21st century objects, furniture, art and textiles from more than 40 premier national and international decorative and fine arts dealers, continues on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available in advance for $60 at modernismweek.com or at the door for $75 and include daily re-entry to the show. Weekend show hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Several tours will be offered for the first time during Fall Preview. The “Cul-de-Sac Experience” at Canyon View Estates #4 will take place on Sunday, October 22 at 10 am. This tour combines vintage automobiles artfully displayed on the driveways of six homes designed by William Krisel in a quaint cul-de-sac in South Palm Springs. Participants have access to all of the homes on the tour.

The Palm Springs Preservation Foundation will offer tours of the recently restored Kirk Douglas residence, located in the city’s Old Las Palmas neighborhood, and of the historic Frank Sinatra“Twin Palms” Estate in the Movie Colony.

Details for all events are at www.modernismweek.com.

Following the Fall Preview, Modernism Week’s signature 11-day festival will take place February 15-25, 2018. The schedule and tickets will be available November 1 at 12 p.m. PST. To receive updates, visit modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Hilton Palm Springs Resort, Modernism Week’s official host hotel, is offering a special $169 room rate for a limited time only. Contact the Hilton directly at 760-320-6868 or go to the Modernism Week website at modernismweek.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Modern Bear To Host Palm Springs Pride Tea Dance Benefiting Sanctuary

Modern Bears Chris Bale and Travis Smith will host a post-Pride parade tea dance benefiting local LGBT charity Sanctuary. The dance will be held Palm Spring’s hot new venue, The Fan Club at Arrive resort. Four DJs – Baz, Bob Deck, Gant Johnson, and Matt Cornwall will each play their own brand of high-energy retro dance music and a full cash bar will be featured. Modern Bear is proud to be a Guardian Angel supporter of Sanctuary, and proceeds from ticket sales will go to assisting Sanctuary in providing support services to LGBT teens in the greater Palm Springs area. Tickets are limited to 200 and are available for $20 online at Modern Bear Pride Tea Dance Benefit for Sanctuary

Sanctuary Palm Springs is a home for LGBT youth in foster care. The home is a place of safety, support, and self-responsibility where each foster-youth resident can learn the life skills needed to become an independent, self-sufficient adult.

About Modern Bear

Palm Springs residents Chris Bale and Travis Smith make up the Modern Bear duo, a multi-media company devoted to sharing their passion for Mid Century Modern design, gay bear culture, architecture, vintage cars, and G-rated Beefcake via books, video, products, and social media.

Entertainer Steven Michael Crowned Mr. Gay West Coast USofA 2017

After 25+ years working in the LGBTQ entertainment industry, gay culture blogger and dance choreographer and Palm Springs’ own, Steven Michael, 49, captured the title Mr. Gay West Coast USofA 2017 in Phoenix on July 30, 2017 at popular gay nightclub The Rock. Steven now heads to Houston for the national finals October 18-20 at Rich’s Nightclub where he will compete alongside 30 other gentlemen for the prestigious title Mr. Gay USofA.

Established in 2008, Mr. Gay USofA awards excellence among the nation’s top male lead entertainers through scoring in categories of interview, club wear and talent at state and regional contests. This will be Steven Michael’s fourth trip to Texas in hopes to fulfill his dream of becoming Mr. Gay USofA.

Steven is a published author and his community involvement includes charity work and activism for the less fortunate and local Southern California LGBTQ charities. Steven says, “I hope that through my journey I may motivate and inspire others to go after what they truly want no matter what their age, image or size. I’m having the time of my life! It’s not a midlife crisis – It’s a midlife moment!”